Haven Armstrong

Mrs. Henn
Honors English Period 3
3 October 2015

Books written in any time period generally reflect the culture of where it was written. In the book,
The Odyssey by Homer, the way the Greeks act reflects the culture. In the Telemachy, the cultural
importance of showing hospitality, respect for the gods, and the father-son relationship helps the reader
discern the moral standards for each character.
In Ancient Greek times, hospitality was an important part of the culture. Even if a stranger
knocked on someones door, they would be let into the house and taken care of before introductions
without knowing of their intentions. In The Odyssey, Penelope, Odysseuss wife, has suitors at her house
because they thought Odysseus was dead, and insisted she had to get remarried. Telemakhos describes
these men as lads with no stomach for an introduction to Ikarios, [Penelopes] father across the sea; he
would require a wedding gift, and give her to someone who found favor in her eyes. No; these men spend
their days around our house killing our beeves and sheep and fatted goats, carousing, soaking up our good
dark wine, not caring what they do (II.55-62). Since hospitality was part of their culture, Penelope could
not refuse them, but the suitors took advantage of this. They ate through their food, lazed around, and
basically had a party while waiting for Penelope to pick a suitor, which she would not do because she was
faithful to Odysseus. It not only gives a sense of Penelopes politeness, but also of the suitors rude
personalities because they do not respect the hospitality given by Telemakhoss mother, and that they are
not on the side of the hero. When Pallas Athena arrived at the doorstep of Telemakhos, he made a big deal
of leaving her at the door. Straight to the door he came, irked with himself to think a visitor had been
kept there waiting Greetings, stranger! Welcome to our feast (I.150-154). Telemakhos shows Athena
great respect, even though she is disguised and does not know who she is. She is a stranger, and he is the

perfect example of someone who follows the cultural values, and because of this, as a character, it is clear
he is on the good side.
When going on a trip, Menelaos did not sacrifice enough to Zeus for a safe voyage. This put his
crew in danger. You should have paid honor to Zeus and the other gods, performing a proper sacrifice
before embarking: that was your short way home on the winedark sea. You may not see your friends, your
own fine house, or enter your own land again, unless you first remount the Nile in flood and pay your
hekatomb to the gods of heaven. Then, and then only, the gods will grant the passage your desire
(IV.67) If Menelaos wanted to get home, he would have to go back to the Nile and pay the proper amount
to, not only Zeus, but also the other gods to grant him a safe voyage. This was valued by the Greeks, to
appease their gods since they believed that the gods dictated how their journey went. Because Menelaos
believes he is more important, better, than the gods, he refuses to pay tributes to the gods, which is against
the culture of the Ancient Greeks, and is not able to go home because they became angry. Once he
realizes his mistake, however, he makes amends and does not make the mistake again. He even tells
others not to do what he had done. Telemakhos, on the other hand, throughout The Telemachy, makes
multiple sacrifices to Athena, and prays to her often. She definitely favors him, especially because she
helps him throughout his journey to find out what happened to his father, Odysseus.
While making a speech, Telemakhos was mocked by the suitors. They said he would never be as
great as Odysseus -- that he could not live up to his family name. The son is rare who measures with his
father, and one in a thousand is a better man (II. 27) In Ancient Greece, the relationship between the
father and his son was important. It was supposed to be the son lived up to his name. The story of Orestes
avenging his fathers death is mentioned many times. Telemakhos is doing the same thing by trying to
find out what happened to his father to either bring him back home, or, if he is dead, pay respects with a
burial and burning of the armor, which is also another form of respect in the Ancient Greek culture.
Another example of the father-son relationship is between Poseidon and Polyphemus. After Odysseus
injures Polyphemuss eye, Polyphemus tells Poseidon that if he (Polyphemus) is really his son, then he
would kill Odysseus and his crew for what they did. So, Poseidon does not allow Odysseus to go home.

Through the cultural importance of hospitality, appeasing the gods, and a father-son relationship,
the reader understands the moral values of each character. Even in modern day, if people do not follow the
cultural norms, then they will be judged. A modern day example of Penelopes case would be someone
being welcomed, but then destroying and raiding the hosts pantry, which is seen as extremely illmannered. An example of disrespecting the gods would be the followers of Christianity believing they
have sinned if they do something wrong. There are many ways modern day culture represents the fatherson relationship. Sometimes the son is named after the father, or they continue to run the fathers
business. It is not only in books where carrying out the cultural values matter -- in everyday life, that is
how peoples personalities and moral values are judged.